Parents know that a day at the beach with family isn’t as easy as it used to be before the kids came along. With children in tow, beach days require specialized gear—and lots of it. From kid-friendly sunscreens and beach towels to sunglasses and snorkels, the list of beach essentials is a long one. And of course you need a place to put all that beach gear too. That’s why choosing the best beach bags for your day trip or beach vacation is so important.
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With all that stuff to haul around, you need a good beach bag (or two or three) to keep it safe and secure while you’re finding a spot on the sand. Of course, “good” is subjective and depends entirely on what you’re looking for in a beach bag. With that in mind, here are 10 sturdy beach bags that offer all kinds of features to make the load a little easier to carry.
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1. L.L. Bean Boat and Tote
Best overall beach bag
The L.L.Bean Boat and Tote is a classic for a reason. These heavyweight cotton canvas beach bags with reinforced handles, a reinforced flat canvas bottom, and double-stitched seams come in a variety of sizes and a choice of open or zippered top.
Go for the traditional natural hue with contrasting-colored handles or choose newer single-hued options in versatile neutrals like black and navy blue. Add a monogram to up the preppy beach vacation vibe. The totes have thousands of five-star reviews, and we love their durability, sturdiness, and carrying capacity.
2. Original Bogg Bag
Best beach bag for easy cleaning
Sand and water are no problem for the durable, splash-proof Original Bogg Bag. Made from EVA plastic and available in a rainbow of colors, the bag can be quickly rinsed off at the end of a beach day for easy cleaning and sand removal. And its sturdy, tip-proof design means your sunscreen, sunglasses, and other gear won’t spill out all over the beach.
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The bag’s large size, quality, and take-anywhere capabilities make it a great choice for the beach. Included clear, zippered insert bags can be snapped onto the interior for storing keys, cell phones, and other must-haves. You can also personalize and accessorize your bag with Bogg Bits, with options ranging from initials to fun beachy designs.
3. Bodysurf Waterproof Beach Bag
Best beach bag for keeping it simple
Made of water- and sand-resistant recycled nylon canvas, the Bodysurf Waterproof Beach Bag looks simple but is high on function. An exterior pocket and hidden interior zippered pocket offer storage options, and there’s plenty of room for all your beach day necessities.
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Available in four go-with-anything colors, the lightweight bag comes in two sizes depending on your storage needs and is comfortable to carry even when full. You can fold up the beach bag into its storage pouch to easily pack it in a suitcase for your next dreamy beach resort vacation, and then use the pouch to store smaller items during your getaway.
4. EUDELE Mesh Beach Tote Bag with Detachable Beach Cooler
Best beach bag for multitaskers
Pack everything you need for a day at the beach in the handy EUDELE Mesh Beach Tote Bag with Detachable Beach Cooler. A 12-can-capacity cooler clips onto the bottom of a roomy bag with plenty of space for towels and sunscreen. The zippered front pocket helps keep your phone, car keys, and money secure, while the main compartment’s PVC mesh design lets the sand fall right out.
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And no matter how much you stuff into this beach bag, the padded handle makes it comfy to carry down to the sand. The bag and cooler can also be used separately if you just need one of them for the day’s activities.
5. QOGiR Neoprene Multipurpose Beach Bag
Best beach bag for versatility
Make like a scuba diver and reach for this Neoprene Multipurpose Beach Bag from QOGiR that combines fashion and function. Available in large and extra-large sizes and a slew of colors and prints, these beach bags feature two zippered interior pockets and offer plenty of room for towels, magazines, snacks, sunscreen, and other necessities for a day at the beach or pool.
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Rope handles plus a removable shoulder pad make it easy to carry, and snaps allow you to change the shape of the bag depending on how you want to use it. It’s durable, easy to clean, dries quickly, and looks great both on and off the beach.
6. Scout La Bumba Large Tote Bag
Best beach bag for fans of preppy prints
These large beach bags score points for their cute striped and checked prints and easy-to-clean and water-resistant interwoven polypropylene exteriors. The top of the Scout La Bumba Large Tote Bag can be zippered closed or left open, and an interior zippered pocket offers a secure storage spot. The bag is easy to flatten and store when not in use, but springs back into shape when needed.
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An exterior pocket is just right for slipping in your sunnies and sunscreen. Eight-inch shoulder straps and wrapped handles make the bag comfy to carry, and a stable bottom helps it keep its shape and stay upright. And if you need even more carrying capacity, Scout has even bigger bags made from the same beach- and pool-friendly material.
7. YETI Camino Carryall 35
Best high-end beach bag
Nope, it’s not cheap. But the YETI Camino 35 Carryall can go from beach to boat and anywhere in between and features a molded, waterproof base to keep the bag upright. Available in a range of colors, the puncture- and abrasion-resistant exterior of these beach bags is easy to clean and super durable, plus it features the ability to attach on other YETI accessories (like an oh-so-handy bottle opener). Dividers can be put to use to corral gear or folded away to create one large compartment.
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8. BeeGreen Bag Mesh Backpack
Best beach bag for swimmers
With the BeeGreen Mesh Backpack, you can stash your snorkel, goggles, sunscreen, towels, and anything else you might want for a fun-filled day in the water at the beach. The lightweight, durable beach backpack includes zippered pockets for holding a phone, wallet, or keys, plus a spot that’s perfect for a water bottle.
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The mesh design dries quickly and makes it easy to find what’s inside, and the adjustable, wide carrying straps allow these beach bags to work for both kids and adults. They’re machine-washable, feature an easy drawstring closure, and come in a variety of colors. The bag can also fold up into one of its pockets, making it easy to stash in a suitcase or backpack.
9. Sea Bags Navy Anchor Large Tote
Best eco-conscious beach bag
A longtime customer favorite, the Navy Anchor Large Tote from Sea Bags offers much more than nautical good looks. The company’s tote and bucket bags are all hand-crafted from recycled sail cloth, which has earned the Maine-based firm GreenCircle Certification and kept more than 700 tons of unuseable or retired sails out of landfills.
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The Navy Anchor Large Tote features sturdy rope handles in three color choices and a zippered inside pocket, with options to add on a clasp or zipper closure. The bag earns praise for its quality, durability, and size and looks right at home in any waterfront setting.
10. Narwey Mesh Beach Bag
Best beach bag for sand toys
Leave the sand at the beach with the lightweight but sturdy Narwey Mesh Beach Bag, which is ideal for lugging beach toys and wet towels. The sand will fall right out as you carry the bag, which means your car trunk or other storage space won’t end up covered in it at the end of a beach day.
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A wide opening means the kids can easily grab what they need without unpacking the whole bag, and long double shoulder straps make it easy to carry. And these super-affordable beach bags fold up into their own exterior pouch, making them easy to stash away or toss into a suitcase for your next trip.
